Throughout life, a person is exposed to a wide variety of environmental factors.They don't always eat correctly and rationally, they often have bad habits, move little or, on the contrary, experience excessive physical exertion.It is clear that for the body the influence of these negative conditions does not pass without consequences.All internal organs and systems suffer, including bone and joint structures, whose damage can sometimes be very serious.
Many people suffer from joint diseases, and the causes of the pathologies are factors such as injuries, infections, age-related changes, autoimmune processes or combinations of these.If the disease affects the lower extremities, in particular the knee joints, the person's motor activity is reduced to the maximum, performance is impaired and social adaptation deteriorates.These negative consequences are especially pronounced in cases of osteoarthritis of the knees, or gonarthrosis, which can result in diseases of the knee joints of any origin.
Features of the disease
Knee joints constantly experience increased physical stress, providing various types of human motor activity, therefore their healthy state and functionality are extremely important.But inflammatory processes in the joint tissues (arthritis), metabolic and dystrophic disorders or traumatic injuries, especially if treatment is started late, can lead to the development of a very dangerous disease called arthrosis of the knee joints or gonarthrosis.
This pathology has a progressive course and is most often diagnosed in old age, which is associated with the accumulation of negative multifactorial effects on the body.However, gonarthrosis can also develop in younger people, especially after serious injuries.
The disease goes through three stages, which are characterized by certain symptoms and have varying degrees of ability to “respond” to treatment methods.This is how gonarthrosis develops (each stage is expressed by a corresponding degree of pathological changes and destruction of the knee joints):
- With the first degree of arthrosis of the knee joint, degenerative-dystrophic processes begin in the cartilaginous layer.
- Stage 2 pathology is characterized by the progressive destruction of cartilaginous tissue, which is accompanied by a responsive growth of bone structures with the appearance of so-called osteophytes.It is at this stage that the person begins to feel pain in the knees and difficulty moving, which is why the diagnosis of gonarthrosis in most cases occurs in the second degree of joint destruction.
- Grade 3 is the almost complete absence of the cartilage layer or the presence of its individual small fragments.As a result, serious deformities form in the knees, mobility is lost (which leads to the patient's disability), there is maximum physical and psychological discomfort, as well as intense pain.Due to the active participation of bone tissue in the pathological process, arthrosis is often called osteoarthritis, and due to the formation of an X- or O-shaped curvature in the lower extremities - deforming osteoarthritis, or DOA.
Each stage and degree of the disease is expressed by an increase in destructive processes in the joints, which determines both the therapeutic approach and the choice of the most effective methods.
Furthermore, therapeutic tactics are also significantly influenced by the form of the disease, which is identified during the diagnostic process.Therefore, to obtain the most positive possible result from treatment, it is important to distinguish the following types of gonarthrosis:
- primary, developing mainly in old age against the background of degenerative changes and being bilateral;
- secondary, formed against the background of joint pathologies or after injuries (for example, as a result of extensive hemorrhage inside the joint capsule, hemarthrosis of the knee joint may occur, the treatment of which has its own characteristics).The secondary form is most often unilateral and is diagnosed at any age.
The role of traditional medicine in the treatment of osteoarthritis
As mentioned above, with arthrotic changes in the joints, very serious destructive processes occur.They can start with inflammation, the body's autoimmune reaction, metabolic disorders, or traumatic injuries.Unfortunately, gonarthrosis is a chronic and constantly evolving pathology, which, however, does not mean that no method can affect the painful process that interrupts or delays its development.
As the disease progresses and passes from stage to stage, the impact of provoking and predisposing factors continues.Therefore, the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, regardless of its origin, must be directed primarily at them.Thus, in acute or indolent forms of the inflammatory process, anti-inflammatory drugs, of a steroidal or non-hormonal nature, are necessary.Steroids also have a suppressive effect on the immune system, which is essential, along with other groups of immunosuppressants, in cases of osteoarthritis of autoimmune origin.The initial stages of destruction of hyaline cartilage can still be delayed by introducing chondroprotective agents into the patient's body, which can partially restore its integrity and functionality.
It is these methods of treating arthrosis of the knee joint, that is, certain groups of drugs and drug therapy in general, that are in the first place, excluding cases of severe gonarthrosis, when only surgical interventions such as endoprostheses come to the fore.Also, with a conservative approach, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and massage are effective.What is the role of treating arthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies and how effective are they?
Traditional treatment refers to the effect on the human body of means of natural origin, that is, natural, as well as low or high air temperatures and various parameters of its humidity.In this case, the effect is carried out locally on certain areas of the skin or throughout its area, through the digestive or respiratory tract.Of course, the most acceptable of them can be considered the local use of folk remedies for arthrosis, when lotions or compresses prepared from plant materials are applied to the knee area.
However, other methods of influencing the patient's body can also be used, if allowed by the attending physician.Why not warm up in a village bathhouse and breathe in the life-giving “spirit” of juniper to restore your defenses and boost your immune system?Or not to use decoctions of herbs and berries or fruit juices containing a large amount of vitamins and biologically active substances, which have a very beneficial effect on all internal organs, not just the articular system?
In general, the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies, although it does not directly affect the cause and origin of the pathology, pursues certain goals that are no less significant than those of drug therapy:
- maintain immunity in satisfactory conditions;
- providing a local anti-inflammatory effect on joint structures;
- slight stimulation of regeneration processes;
- additional positive effect on other internal organs and systems.
Therefore, the treatment of deforming arthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies, as well as other types of this pathology, is always included in a comprehensive and strictly individual treatment regimen.It plays the role of an auxiliary and additional method, which traditionally also has great psychological significance for patients.The use of all types of folk remedies, even in very severe stages of gonarthrosis, when there is practically no real therapeutic help, can still improve a person's psycho-emotional mood, lift his spirits and inspire hope for recovery.And the psychological perception of the disease and its causes, as we know, is the basis of the psychosomatic approach to therapy, which cannot be ignored.
However, it is still better not to use these well-known traditional medicine treatments on your own, without taking into account the necessary dosages, dose frequency and course duration.It is important that the treatment of gonarthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies, its intensity and the choice of a specific method are approved or recommended by a specialist.Only a doctor who treats joint diseases can know exactly how to treat arthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies, at what stage it is necessary to do this and at what stage it is practically ineffective.
This is a specialist in the field of joint diseases or in the field of treatment with folk remedies who can give the patient the following recommendations:
- Before using the method for the first time, consult a doctor;
- before introducing a medication into the treatment regimen, do a tolerance test (for external use) - apply the ointment or solution to the skin on the inner side of the forearm, leave it for 1-2 hours and see the result (if there are no changes, you can safely use it);
- do not take medicines for future use as much as possible - for 1-2 days (with the exception of products containing ethyl alcohol), observing storage rules;
- strictly adhere to the dosage, frequency of administration and duration of the course;
- If adverse reactions occur, you should immediately stop using the method and consult a doctor.
Every doctor knows that the sooner therapy is started, the better the result.This fully applies to gonarthrosis: the use of a conservative, including popular, approach makes sense in stages 1-2 of pathology.In the third stage, when the hyaline cartilage in the joint no longer exists and when persistent osteofibrous deformities are formed, it will no longer be possible to completely cure the disease, and the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joints with folk remedies will only perform a supportive psychological function.
Traditional medicine methods
To relieve pain, reduce swelling in the knee area and thus help restore the functionality of the joints, several of the most common methods and recipes are used.The raw materials for them are taken only of natural origin, which can be prepared independently or purchased at the pharmacy.
The following methods are mainly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint:
- compresses;
- ointments and rubs;
- decoctions and infusions;
- medicinal baths.
When applying compresses, the combined effect of plant materials and high temperature, which is created by the insulating layer, is important.All types of compresses are best used at night, when the knee joint is at rest, and 7-8 hours while the person sleeps will be enough to provide the maximum possible therapeutic effect.As a rule, compresses are done once a day for 7-10 days, after a while the course can be repeated.
Various components are used as raw materials for compresses: gelatin, dead bees, iodine, horseradish, kefir, potatoes, propolis with salt, oatmeal.But the most common are vodka and cabbage leaves.A piece of cloth soaked in vodka or a hand-rubbed cabbage leaf is applied to the knee, then the leg is covered with a film and tied with a warm cloth.All warming compresses have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect and reduce swelling.
Homemade ointments and rubs are good for providing a local anesthetic effect.For example, an equal number of chamomile flowers, burdock root and calendula inflorescences are crushed and mixed with petroleum jelly to form a pasty mass.This ointment is used 4-5 times a day when the patient is bothered by severe pain.
To support the body in the fight against arthrosis, you can use decoctions of medicinal herbs: lingonberry, calendula, St. John's wort, chamomile.The drink is prepared for one day, as its properties are lost during storage.On the contrary, alcoholic tinctures can be stored for a long time and their characteristics only improve.They can be prepared with elecampane root, dandelion and golden mustache stems.
Hot baths with string or chamomile, as well as with the addition of sea salt, perfectly relax muscles, relieve pain and swelling.After them, patients notice an improvement in the general condition and mobility of the knees.Therapeutic baths are used once a day, preferably at night.
Patient reviews
Each patient, when applying for help, receives a treatment regimen for osteoarthritis of the knee joint from the doctor, which also includes traditional methods.As a rule, impressions from its use are positive, here are some of them:
- Woman, 58 years old: "I've been suffering from deforming gonarthrosis for almost 10 years, I'm constantly undergoing treatment. My doctor always says that joints love heat, so I apply hot compresses to my knees according to a certain pattern. They really relieve the pain and help me move."
- Man, 61 years old: "My mother also used fir oil for joint pain. Now, with bilateral arthrosis of the knees, I apply her experience. I rub the oil well into my knees, wrap them in a warm scarf and go to bed."
- Woman: 50 years old: "I would like to recommend a recipe for an ointment for arthrosis, which helps me a lot. You need to grind 5-6 bay leaves, grind 1 tsp. pine needles or juniper berries and mix with 100 g of butter. Rub into sore joints before bed. Gradually, the pain and swelling disappear."
Gonarthrosis therapy always takes a long time and requires perseverance and patience.It is important to follow all doctor's orders and regularly use alternative treatment courses.Only in this case will a positive result be noticeable.